Chapter 14: Family Reunion

The two unicorns, their robot passengers, and the robot dog neared the city at about seven twenty. Magma�s heat power was doing a good job at keeping them warm, and all were in fairly good spirits.

�Comfortable?� Magma asked.

�Yes, very,� Mega answered. �How�s the arm, brother?�

�Okay, I guess.�

�You�re brothers?� Ice asked.

�Yeah,� responded Proto. �We were built from the same plans, so we consider ourselves brothers.�

�Then it�s funny.� Magma gently flicked Proto in the back with his red tail. �We�re

color-coordinated.� All laughed.

�About how far to K'Tan?� Proto asked.

�Not far. Perhaps half an hour or so.� Ice began to trot playfully, humming merrily. Soon Magma joined in, and then as the tune they were humming was so similar, Mega started singing Jingle Bells.After a few minutes of listening, the unicorns joined in on the chorus, then Proto, and then even Rush started singing in his own way, which made the others laugh.

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Time came for the Winter Fest Day gathering. Slowly all the Half-Kins and their guests met at the tree, many carrying gifts that they placed under the green branches. But in spite of the glad season, there was a sadness dampening all. Mega, nor Proto, nor Rush had returned, despite the hopes and prayers of all who knew of them. Roll, Dr. Light, and those Half-Kins who knew the three closest looked sadly at seven packages under the tree that had no one to claim them. Roll in her place around the tree sighed, and Dr. Light patted her shoulder. Zantari moved to the front of the tree.

�As we gather here this WinterFest - and Christmas - Day, I ask that we pause in prayer for Mega Man, Proto Man, and Rush, who are missing from our company. May all the Spirits and the gods above protect them all.� All were silent for a few minutes, then the service began. The Half-Kins sang some of their traditional songs, with the guests listening to the beautiful, foreign music and words. And then, as Zant had discovered from Dr. Light about the significance of the day for people on their world, they began to sing Joy to the World. The Half-Kin lion had insisted that they do something to honor the day for the guests, and the words and music had been easy for Roll to jot down, and for Zant to learn. But something strange happened as the first notes were struck on Zant�s guitar. A tingle rippled through them all, and their worries vanished. Then they sang,

�Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king...�

Zantar thought he heard something, and one ear turned backwards, but he couldn�t tell what it was and kept singing.

�And Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.�

Now Zentarou, Zentor, Zatana, and most of the other Half-Kins heard the noise. But what was it? The wind, or an echo, or an animal in the bushes...?

�He rules the world with truth and grace. And makes the nations prove...�

Now everyone was aware of the approaching sound, yet all kept singing. Some half-turned to peer about. Slowly they all realized that the noise was - singing? Four distinct voices clearly singing along with the group around the tree with a fifth voice singing in a kind of caninish way.

Just as the song finished, two unicorns stepped into view a little ways away from the tree, bearing two riders, plus a dog that walked between them. Both the riders ironically matched their mounts. The five came closer, and one waved.

�Merry Christmas and Winter Fest!� Mega greeted, and the gathering broke into cheers as some hurried forward to welcome the wandering robots home, especially, Dr. Light and Roll. Both Mega and Proto dismounted (Proto carefully), and were hugged by their sister and the good scientist.

�We were all so worried about you three,� Dr. Light said. �Thank goodness you�re all right.�

�Or at least in one piece, more or less,� Proto amended wryly, holding his arm and leaning against Magma. Dr. Light unwound the makeshift bandage and looked at the �wound.�

�I can fix this up in no time, if this is the only injury.�

�Eh, I think a motor circuit might be damaged, but I think that�s it.� W.B. made a sympathetic sound from nearby, seeing the injury.

�If you�re having difficulty standing then its possible. Repairing that might take a little while.�

�We�ll hold off the rest of the celebration until you�re able to join us,� Zantari said for the gathering.

�We wouldn�t want you to stop on our account,� Mega offered.

�Nonsense. No one minds, right?� Everyone nodded or called an affirmative, even the children. So Proto, supported by Mega and Dr. Light and flanked by Roll, Rush, and a few of the Half-Kins, went inside to be repaired.